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UCLA Fraternity and Sorority Blasted for 'Kanye Western' Blackface Party

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UCLA Fraternity and Sorority Blasted for 'Kanye Western' Blackface Party

What were they thinking?

Published October 8, 2015

UCLA students are catching heat over an offensive Kanye West-themed party thrown Tuesday night. Members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and Alpha Phi sorority reportedly wore baggy clothes with charcoal-smeared faces to the "Kanye Western," while others donned plumped-up lips and padded butts to look like Kim Kardashian.

Sigma Phi Epsilon and Alpha Phi are investigating the matter. “We have asked our UCLA chapter to temporarily suspend activities and work with our office and university staff to determine the facts of the event and the appropriate path forward,” Sigma Phi Epsilon said in a statement.

Students held protests on campus today to speak out against the racially insensitive party. “It’s extremely disrespectful for any organization at all to think that this is possibly a good idea,” said Kelsey Thomas, a third-year student and member of the UCLA African Student Union. “I understand the play on words, but there are so many other ways [to dress] to fit that.”

The university's media relations department noted that students are allowed to hold events influenced by pop culture, but should be mindful of how others may be affected. “Put simply, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.”

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